There's not much to say this morning apart from the fact that we have blue skies above us. The snow did ease off yesterday though it remained a cloudy one. Different this morning as the sun shines down and we have clear skies. It wasn't as busy as a usual Saturday yesterday and today things seem to be moving smoothly out there as well, so should be a good day - still pockets of new snow to find. And there looks to be more on the way as well as by the end of the day it should be snowing and that may well continue all through tomorrow. It's going to get colder as well and we might see a welcome return to minus double digit temperatures. For today though still keeping relatively mild while just above keeping under zero.

Today it is one year since the earthquake and tsunami over in eastern Tohoku. We felt it here too and of course felt the one the day after in northern Nagano. Many people's thoughts will be with the many people who were affected so badly by what happened that day.